Tim Hoogland is expected to miss the second half of the Bundesliga season after aggravating a knee injury.After closing in on a return to first team action with Schalke, defender Tim Hoogland has sustained a second knee injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

"His knee is still swollen so he required surgery," coach Felix Magath told reporters. "It is likely that he will be out for the entire second half of the season."

Since joining Schalke from Mainz last summer, Hoogland has yet to make a single competitive appearance. Following a serious knee injury sustained at the end of last season, the 25-year-old has also suffered from pancreatitis and back problems before picking up another knee injury. It appears that he will have to wait until the fall to make his return to the club at which he spent much of his youth and early career.